Game Night: Boston Bruins
0 Comments Published by Dany Heatley Speedwagon on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 9:07 AM.
The "B" stands for Band-AidThe Boston Bruins bring their travelling road show to the Bank tonight. They are coming in a banged up team and this might bode well for a Senators squad that for the past few seasons has struggled against the big bad Bruins. (1-5 against the Bruins last year)
Boston is 4-4-1 on the young season and trying to re-establish themselves as a premier team in the East while both Marc Savard and Milan Lucic are making extended visits to the IR. As fellow OBC blogger SLC intimated "if we could somehow arrange for Tim Thomas to be victimized in a tragic, if non-lethal, mishap involving a piano and a Puerto Rican hooker, we're golden folks." With it still being early in the season and the Senators struggling to establish themselves as a contender, I'll settle for any advantage they can get.
Thursday's game against Nashville looked from the score to at least be an entertaining affair. At most it was probably the robbery of a pity point. Ottawa was down 3-0 early so you could say I was more than surprised to see the team was able to tie the game at 5 with seconds left to force the overtime.
Things of note from the game include the fact that the offence continues to be balanced with 5 different players tallying to make the extra frame possible. While a come from behind win in OT would have been glorious it was not to be since M.C. Hammer decided he'd celebrate his new 2 year deal by taking a break in the box for interference in the OT. (seriously? An interference call in OT? Don Cherry is rolling in his grave!) Mistakes happen and I'm not about to burn Carkner at the stake for taking a questionably bad penalty in OT because he recently signed a new deal. His minus 4 in the game was also not a brightspot but I think we need a little persepctive here.
I've been as surpsied by Matt Carkner as most since his surprising start to the season but listen to me when I say, Matt Carkner is just a guy. I didn't really expect huge things from Carkner going into the pre-season. He's been a career AHLer and no matter how dellusional some might be after his 7 game performance he won't even qualify for the Calder since he's the ripe old age of 29. I'm not knocking the guy at all. He was a pleasant surprise in the preseason and earned himself a role on this team. He brings a bit of fire with him to the lineup that I enjoy seeing and someone like him probably plays with a little chip on his shoulder since it's taken him so long to make the show, but again... he's just a guy. He signed a 2 year deal for $1.4 million. That doesn't even come CLOSE to the league minimum. Yes it's a one way deal and yes I don't quite understand the urgency on the Bryan's part to sign him so early into the new season but to tell you the truth I'm not losing a lot of sleep over the personel decisions regarding one M.C. Hammer. He's just a guy. People are blowing the idea of this "local boy done good" way out of proportion on both sides of the fence and lets wake up here...(say it with me) he's, just, a, guy. If the contract turns out to be bad let's remember, a $1.4 million "gamble" really pales in comparison to something like, ohhhhh, I don't know, maybe paying a quality goalie a little less than $600,000 a year, over 4 years, to play for any team not named "Senators".
So here we are, 5-3 on the season going into game number 9 at home against a banged up Bruins team. The Sens are probably surprising more than a few people early. Leclaire is looking like we hoped he would, the offence is balanced like we thought it could, (but perhaps lacking a little potentcy where we expected it should), Cheechoo is playing with hands of wood and oh yes, Alex Picard still makes me stabby.
A picture is worth a thousand goals against
The Many Faces Of J Mart
2 Comments Published by Dany Heatley Speedwagon on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 10:28 AM.
Now I'm sure many of you may have seen this somewhere before (and done a whole lot better), but I assure you, immitation is the sincerest form of flatery and originality is not my strong suit.
In honour of the Senators taking on the Habs tonight for the first time with J Mart behind the bench I present to you the many faces of J Mart.
For a guy with a reputation of showing very little emotion these pictures present a great deal of evidence to the contrary.
The "Rodney Dangerfield"
The "Your Attorney At Law"
The "So You See, I Had No Choice But To Cut Jason Spezza... Twice"
The "Pavarotti"
The "You Never Know What You'll Get From Google Images"
The "I'm Pretty Sure No One Can See Me Picking My Nose Here"
The "I Wonder What It Would Look Like If You Assembled A Team Comprised Entirely Of Midgets"
The "It's Going To Be A Pleasure Stealing Your Job"
The "Your Mind Powers Will Not Work On Me Boy"
The "I Haven't Looked It Up But I'm Pretty Sure You Can Win A Game With Just Defence"
The "Somebody Made A Stinky"
The "Mom! The Meatloaf! Fuck!"
4 Things About Last Night's Game
8 Comments Published by Dany Heatley Speedwagon on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 7:20 AM.
What I like to call "the better half"... of the deal1. That was the kind of game I've been waiting for. Everyone seemingly clicking together. Balanced scoring. Complete game (more or less).
2. All Hail Michalek. (Making the seperation anxiety that much easier)
3. Matt Carker desperately needs a nickname. (I vote M.C. Hammer... please Carkner don't hurt 'em)
4. As much as I like shorthanded goals I would't mind seeing a little more production on the PP. Of course it's hard to do that when you don't get many either. (I'm looking at you Zebras!)
Live Bloggy Goodness
0 Comments Published by Dany Heatley Speedwagon on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:38 AM.
Lightning at Sens. Tonight. Fun starts at 7:15pm. Will be joined by Reasonable Doubt of Deadspin and Melt Your Face Off fame. Also some of the usual OBC and BoO rabble will be dropping by. Please bring the funny won't you.
SensTV: Favourite Toy Growing Up
0 Comments Published by Miss. Scarlett on Friday, October 09, 2009 at 11:32 PM.
Nobody's allowed to say hockey stick! This video is also worth viewing just to hear Nick Foligno's explanation of his Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtle pizza truck.
Labels: off-topic, ottawa senators
Game winning goal in OT on Marty Biron (not pictured)So the Sens are now 2-1. They appear to have a capable goalie (2.34GAA, .918SV%) for the first time since... ummm.... wow let's see... probably it was back... ummm... ya a while.
Is all well with the team? Let me put it this way. In the past three games...
-2-1 Record
-0 powerplay goals... by the team
-7 goals scored... TOTAL
-Kovalev, 0 pts, -3
-Jason Spezza, 1 pt, -3
-Cheechoo 1 pt, -3
-Milan Michalek, 0 pts, -3
These are numbers that are worrying me. While the play of some of the role players is promising especially the performance of Regin and Carkner so far one must take stock that if they are who we are going to count on to carry the load the rest of the way we are in a LOT of trouble.
So that is about it for this post. I'm just about to lick the stamp on it because it's clearly mailed in. Off to spend a weekend with the in-laws. Hopefully all will be well and cured by the game against Atlanta on Saturday. I'm intersted to see who will get the start in net. The suddenly hot Snoopy or will he get a break for Elliott to show what he's made of. Without any inside information and no access to the interwebs for the weekend I've benched Leclaire in my fantasy league just incase.
Ottawa Senators 2 - Truculento Maple Leafs 1
1 Comments Published by Dany Heatley Speedwagon on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 at 9:42 PM.
Stalberg catches the A-trainTruculent, Pugnacious... Winless.
The Ottawa Senators fresh off a disappointing season opener against the Rangers rolled into the ACC tonight to take on the Brian Burke world beaters. Ottawa jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a fiesty (questionable?) goal by SheanDon and a penalty shot marker by The Captain. I especially liked the goaltending by "The Monster", demonstrating to everyone why last year he was the best goalie not in the NHL. The Leafs new wonderkind Viktor Stralberg learned you don't stand on the tracks when the A-Train is coming through. (rookies, they're so silly!) He left the game after attempting the in-human feat. Also of note, the look on Brian Burke's face in the press box when Alfie deked "The Monster" out of his jockstrap. It would have been the funniest thing I saw in the box tonight if it wasn't for Cliff Fletchers blazer which I'm pretty sure a chesterfield gave it's life for.
Best goalie not in the NHL last season, for a reason
Granted this Leafs team as mentioned is still winless, and it remains to be seen if they will even be a serious contender this year (except for PeeWee championships of course, according to Coach Ron Wilson) but I'll savor this victory in the BoO and take a W anyway they come. A win now is just as valuable as a win in January or a win in March. LeClaire made some decent saves when he had to and had just a wee bit of luck from the post (TWICE!) to preserve the win. Surprisingly the Leafs didn't resort to dropping the gloves and gooning it up to win the game. My understanding was that would have resulted in a Leaf win, no?
Spontaneous Battle of Ontario Live-Blog: Part the 1st
0 Comments Published by Miss. Scarlett on at 7:08 PM.
I haven't blogged in awhile and I apologize. Work has been insanely busy for me but how could I not settle in for the first edition of the Battle of Ontario? I'm sitting here with my laptop, proudly wearing my Sens jersey. Let's get 'er done boys!
7:04 - That TSN opening montage took 4 minutes long. The cheesy voiceovers, the panoramic views of the Canadian landscape...but I'm more concerned about how long these players practiced their Blue Steel in front of the mirror.
7:10 - Dave Hodge has a new segment called "Hodge Mail". My co-worker pointed this out, why didn't they just call it "Hodge Podge"?
7:12 - Jack Layton's still going at it eh? Good for him...? We go back to a new view of the giant screen outside Gate 5 of the Air Canada Centre. It looks pretty darn awesome actually. Shot of Pascal Leclaire to open up. I will definitely be on a look-out for the Snoopy on his mask tonight.
7:14 - Here's an easy drinking game rule for you: any time "Monster" is mentioned tonight. With P-Mag between the benches tonight, I'd perhaps dilute your drink lest you want to pass out before the 1st period is over.
1st Period
19:35 - Kaberle comes close. Senators pinned in their zone. I'm not sure I'm liking how this game is going so far.
17:57 - Stempniak steps up. Seriously, I'm not really liking how easy it is for those Leafers to get into our zone. We finally get a shot which Gustavsson stops.
17:33 - Carkner shot that makes it through traffic, Gustavsson saves. So he's not just for pushing people around!
17:17 - Donovan gets checked by J. Mitchell but he stays on the puck. I've said it before but I'll say it again, I like the cut of his jib.
For somebody whose nickname is "Monster", I was really hoping his mask would be more interesting. And is it just me or is the crowd at the ACC even quieter than usual? Is it because it's a Tuesday?
16:33 - Good moves by Karlsson to get the puck and get it out of the zone. Fisher flattens Blake and I'm kind of gleeful about it.
15:21 - Spezza connects with Michalek nicely but Volchenkov, to quote Chris Cuthbert, "couldn't get good wood on it". Sometimes, hockey...you make it too easy.
13:20 - Liking the moves on Peter Regin and Erik Karlsson so far.
13:03 - It took 7 minutes, but I'm at my first "Shut Up, Pierre" of the night.
12:21 - Almost a minute gone in this penalty. Chris Kelly is in the box. Leafs haven't had a good scoring chance yet. At least our PK still looks competent.
11:26 - Kovalev with his first shot, a short-handed shot on goal. That's officially one more than he had in the Rangers game! See? Continuously improving that one.
10:25 - Guys, it's only John Mitchell. He shouldn't have been allowed to dance past ALL FOUR OF YOU.
9:?? - My time/score bar has gone missing. It's jarring.
8:10 - Ruutu with a shot, hits Donovan. Nice try though, boys.
6....?? - Spezza's pass goes off a skate and right onto the stick of Colton Orr. Okay, that wasn't technically his fault...was it? At least it didn't result in anything. Spezza makes it up to us by planting somebody into the boards in the corner.
4:?? - Ruutu with another shot. Does Ruutu officially have more SOGs than Kovalev? My goodness.
4:37 - Stalberg comes down the ice and falls. He just lost an edge but I'd like to think he got intimidated by Karlsson. Yeah...that's it.
2:45 - Scramble in front of Leclaire but the Sens clear! That was too nerve wracking.
Okay, I'm back to "Shut up, Pierre"
1:55 - Volchenkov just DESTROYS Stalberg. That makes me giddy. Regin goes in with some fancy, maybe too cute moves, looks like he might get the puck taken away but TOTALLY STAYS ON THE PUCK. He's NOT just a pretty face.
0:09 - Spezza flattened referee Wes McCauley. Nice effort! Do that to one of the ones in blue next time.
7:54 - Bob McKenzie just called this the "Polite Dispute of Ontario". He follows up that zinger with calling Stalberg "Michael Renberg". Oh, Bob. We were doing so well.
7:57 - I have to say, I really do enjoy that Midas "Canadian Police Chase" commercial with the two cars stuck in the snow. It's very witty and the marketing geek in me is pleased.
That's it for me tonight for the live-blog. As always, GO SENS GO!
7:04 - That TSN opening montage took 4 minutes long. The cheesy voiceovers, the panoramic views of the Canadian landscape...but I'm more concerned about how long these players practiced their Blue Steel in front of the mirror.
7:10 - Dave Hodge has a new segment called "Hodge Mail". My co-worker pointed this out, why didn't they just call it "Hodge Podge"?
7:12 - Jack Layton's still going at it eh? Good for him...? We go back to a new view of the giant screen outside Gate 5 of the Air Canada Centre. It looks pretty darn awesome actually. Shot of Pascal Leclaire to open up. I will definitely be on a look-out for the Snoopy on his mask tonight.
7:14 - Here's an easy drinking game rule for you: any time "Monster" is mentioned tonight. With P-Mag between the benches tonight, I'd perhaps dilute your drink lest you want to pass out before the 1st period is over.
1st Period
19:35 - Kaberle comes close. Senators pinned in their zone. I'm not sure I'm liking how this game is going so far.
17:57 - Stempniak steps up. Seriously, I'm not really liking how easy it is for those Leafers to get into our zone. We finally get a shot which Gustavsson stops.
17:33 - Carkner shot that makes it through traffic, Gustavsson saves. So he's not just for pushing people around!
17:17 - Donovan gets checked by J. Mitchell but he stays on the puck. I've said it before but I'll say it again, I like the cut of his jib.
For somebody whose nickname is "Monster", I was really hoping his mask would be more interesting. And is it just me or is the crowd at the ACC even quieter than usual? Is it because it's a Tuesday?
16:33 - Good moves by Karlsson to get the puck and get it out of the zone. Fisher flattens Blake and I'm kind of gleeful about it.
15:21 - Spezza connects with Michalek nicely but Volchenkov, to quote Chris Cuthbert, "couldn't get good wood on it". Sometimes, hockey...you make it too easy.
13:20 - Liking the moves on Peter Regin and Erik Karlsson so far.
13:03 - It took 7 minutes, but I'm at my first "Shut Up, Pierre" of the night.
12:21 - Almost a minute gone in this penalty. Chris Kelly is in the box. Leafs haven't had a good scoring chance yet. At least our PK still looks competent.
11:26 - Kovalev with his first shot, a short-handed shot on goal. That's officially one more than he had in the Rangers game! See? Continuously improving that one.
10:25 - Guys, it's only John Mitchell. He shouldn't have been allowed to dance past ALL FOUR OF YOU.
9:?? - My time/score bar has gone missing. It's jarring.
8:10 - Ruutu with a shot, hits Donovan. Nice try though, boys.
6....?? - Spezza's pass goes off a skate and right onto the stick of Colton Orr. Okay, that wasn't technically his fault...was it? At least it didn't result in anything. Spezza makes it up to us by planting somebody into the boards in the corner.
4:?? - Ruutu with another shot. Does Ruutu officially have more SOGs than Kovalev? My goodness.
4:37 - Stalberg comes down the ice and falls. He just lost an edge but I'd like to think he got intimidated by Karlsson. Yeah...that's it.
2:45 - Scramble in front of Leclaire but the Sens clear! That was too nerve wracking.
Okay, I'm back to "Shut up, Pierre"
1:55 - Volchenkov just DESTROYS Stalberg. That makes me giddy. Regin goes in with some fancy, maybe too cute moves, looks like he might get the puck taken away but TOTALLY STAYS ON THE PUCK. He's NOT just a pretty face.
0:09 - Spezza flattened referee Wes McCauley. Nice effort! Do that to one of the ones in blue next time.
7:54 - Bob McKenzie just called this the "Polite Dispute of Ontario". He follows up that zinger with calling Stalberg "Michael Renberg". Oh, Bob. We were doing so well.
7:57 - I have to say, I really do enjoy that Midas "Canadian Police Chase" commercial with the two cars stuck in the snow. It's very witty and the marketing geek in me is pleased.
That's it for me tonight for the live-blog. As always, GO SENS GO!
Labels: battle of ontario, live-blog, ottawa senators, spontaneity, toronto maple leafs, tsn
I Love Legitimate Theatre
2 Comments Published by Dany Heatley Speedwagon on Sunday, October 04, 2009 at 10:49 PM.
Your tax dollars, hard at work! Bob Probert as one half of a pairs figure skating duo. *cringe* I don't think it could get any more akward than that unless Tie Domi was actually his partner.
The CBC works so damn hard to continue perpetuating the typical Canadian stereotypes. Also, I think Kelly Hrudy needs to get laid.
Third Post Is A Charm
0 Comments Published by Dany Heatley Speedwagon on Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 8:29 PM.
2008-2009 Ottawa Senators, Let's Not Fuck This Season Up Shall We?
Alright you've all been so nice to hang with us through the first 2 parts of our season preview so let's jump right in and get this puppy finished.
Sherry: Staying with the Northeast, has Montreal completely lost its mind blowing their wad on all those free agents or should we actually be afraid of their fire power now?
Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I have obviously heard the biggest criticism of the habs is that the team bus has been replaced with a clown car, but I'm left to wonder what fire power are you referring to? I dont see that top tier superstar in Montreal. That is what I thought was their problem forthe past couple of seasons. AK27was the go to player and he scares the crap out of me thinking we have to rely on him in only a secondary role. Again, similar tothe Bryan in a way, a lot of moves but probably not the right ones.
Q: Time to check up on everyone's favorite former Sens goalie and pugilist enthusiast... Ray Ray. Will he be the starter for philly this season and does he take them to the playoffs? (For the record I think the Flyers are a playoff team... I'm just asking is he going to be the guy in between the pipes when they get there) If he succeeds do you feel the Sens blew it?
Sherry: Considering Philly's back-up is Brian Boucher, who all told was not a complete disaster last year in San Jose when he, you know, actually got a chance to play, I do think Ray Ray will be the starter for Philly this season. For all of his drawbacks you can't argue against Emery's athleticism and potential. That being said, given the way things turned out in Ottawa I really don't think they blew it in letting him go because the situation had come to a point where they really had no choice. They blew it in how they dealt with the situation in not addressing it sooner but hindsight is 20/20 you know? I do wish him well and hope he makes the most of this chance.
Q: We all know you need a new man-crush. Any front runners for the title?
Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I think I'm harmed too much from the last crush to fall in lust oh so easily again. That said I've always been a Fisher fan but dagnabbit his inconsitency can drive you crazy.
Alright well it might be time to wrap this little exercise in blogging up but I think I'll finish with just a little prognostication and a very simple yes/no question.
Q. Do the Sens make the playoffs this year?
Sherry: As much as it pains me to say it...no. That way we'll be pleasantly surprised when and if they do!
Q: Same question to you and I guess we can wrap it up there.
Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I have read all the previews and I have seen all there is to see when it comes to this Sens team and for all the question marks, all the what-ifs, all the change and all the promise I do think the Sens CAN make the playoffs this year. Obviously I'm chickening out a little bit on this question because I'll say that I can't tell the future and I can only HOPE they make the playoffs but I honestly do think on paper the pieces are there and the fan in me is going to be really optimistc (foolish?) and say that they will at least get enough of the breaks they need in order to begin the healing and make us all forget the playoffless season that was in 2008-2009.
I'll leave you all with a little anecdote. Basketball has the tip-off and football has the kick-off, hockey is coming and I'm ready for the puck-off!
Drop the puck... game on!
Sherry: Staying with the Northeast, has Montreal completely lost its mind blowing their wad on all those free agents or should we actually be afraid of their fire power now?
Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I have obviously heard the biggest criticism of the habs is that the team bus has been replaced with a clown car, but I'm left to wonder what fire power are you referring to? I dont see that top tier superstar in Montreal. That is what I thought was their problem forthe past couple of seasons. AK27was the go to player and he scares the crap out of me thinking we have to rely on him in only a secondary role. Again, similar tothe Bryan in a way, a lot of moves but probably not the right ones.
Q: Time to check up on everyone's favorite former Sens goalie and pugilist enthusiast... Ray Ray. Will he be the starter for philly this season and does he take them to the playoffs? (For the record I think the Flyers are a playoff team... I'm just asking is he going to be the guy in between the pipes when they get there) If he succeeds do you feel the Sens blew it?
Sherry: Considering Philly's back-up is Brian Boucher, who all told was not a complete disaster last year in San Jose when he, you know, actually got a chance to play, I do think Ray Ray will be the starter for Philly this season. For all of his drawbacks you can't argue against Emery's athleticism and potential. That being said, given the way things turned out in Ottawa I really don't think they blew it in letting him go because the situation had come to a point where they really had no choice. They blew it in how they dealt with the situation in not addressing it sooner but hindsight is 20/20 you know? I do wish him well and hope he makes the most of this chance.
Q: We all know you need a new man-crush. Any front runners for the title?
Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I think I'm harmed too much from the last crush to fall in lust oh so easily again. That said I've always been a Fisher fan but dagnabbit his inconsitency can drive you crazy.
Alright well it might be time to wrap this little exercise in blogging up but I think I'll finish with just a little prognostication and a very simple yes/no question.
Q. Do the Sens make the playoffs this year?
Sherry: As much as it pains me to say it...no. That way we'll be pleasantly surprised when and if they do!
Q: Same question to you and I guess we can wrap it up there.
Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I have read all the previews and I have seen all there is to see when it comes to this Sens team and for all the question marks, all the what-ifs, all the change and all the promise I do think the Sens CAN make the playoffs this year. Obviously I'm chickening out a little bit on this question because I'll say that I can't tell the future and I can only HOPE they make the playoffs but I honestly do think on paper the pieces are there and the fan in me is going to be really optimistc (foolish?) and say that they will at least get enough of the breaks they need in order to begin the healing and make us all forget the playoffless season that was in 2008-2009.
I'll leave you all with a little anecdote. Basketball has the tip-off and football has the kick-off, hockey is coming and I'm ready for the puck-off!
Drop the puck... game on!
